EITHER YOU LOVE diving or you love marathons — most sporty people we know wouldn’t think twice about doing both.
Alright, or maybe you just love shopping. Who doesn’t? Whatever you’re into, Guam has it covered.
From sunny beaches and clear, cool waters to historical and cultural sites, not to mention duty-free shopping at bargain prices, there’s no shortage of reasons Guam deserves a spot on your list of must-visit paradises. If you’re into underwater diving or marathons, two big, unforgettable events are happening on Guam this April that will have you packing your bags in no time.
On April 7, the Guam Visitors Bureau (GVB) will mark the 100th anniversary of the deliberate sinking of the German ship SMS Cormoran at Apra Harbor, Guam, in 1917, during World War I. Meanwhile, Guam’s annual premier running event, the United Airlines Guam Marathon, kicks off its fifth year with the Håfa Adai Expo and Packet Pick Up event on the same day.
SMS Cormoran
What made the scuttling of this armed merchant raider so significant was that it marked the “first shot” in the war between the United States and Imperial Germany in WWI. The ship arrived in Guam in 1914 after running out of coal while dodging enemies across the Pacific. Since the U.S. wasn’t yet at war, Guam’s military governor let the vessel stay and its crew come ashore to befriend the locals, but refused to give them the coal they needed. In 1917, once the U.S. finally entered WWI, the island’s military governor ordered the Cormoran’s captain, Adalbert Zuckschwerdt, to surrender the ship. Rather than comply, the captain chose to scuttle it. U.S. sailors fired a warning shot across the Cormoran’s bow to try to stop the crew, but to no avail — the ship went down, taking nine of its crew members with it.
For the next 26 years, the Cormoran lay undisturbed in its watery grave. Then, on August 27, 1943, during WWII, a U.S. submarine torpedoed the Japanese freighter Tokai Maru, which sank and came to rest perpendicular to the Cormoran — giving Guam a unique distinction as the only place in the world where shipwrecks from two different World Wars lie side by side.
To mark the centennial of the Cormoran’s scuttling, a wreath-laying ceremony will be held at sea and at the monument in the U.S. Naval Cemetery in Hagatña, where the sailors who died are buried. Special dive packages will also let divers and visitors join tours to the historic wreck site, alongside history lectures at the T. Stell Newman Information Center.
United Airlines Guam Marathon
The fifth edition of UGM, happening April 9 from 3 to 11 a.m., is about far more than just running — there’s a full slate of pre- and post-race activities open to participants and the public alike. The Håfa Adai Expo, held April 7 from noon to 6 p.m. (and continuing April 8 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.), serves as the mandatory packet pick-up location and is open to everyone. Expect a running clinic from 2000 Sydney Games Olympic gold medalist and UGM ambassador Naoko Takahashi, sponsor booths, live entertainment, cultural activities, food and beverage concessions, official UGM and running merchandise, and other only-on-Guam experiences. There’s also a runners’ perks program with a range of shopping incentives and discounts open to registered runners, visitors, and local residents alike.
At the finish line, an all-new BBQ Beach Party awaits participants and guests at Governor Joseph F. Flores Memorial Park (Ypao Beach), with a scenic view of Tumon Bay. Along with a live BBQ station, expect a live concert, beach games and entertainment, the traditional Tumon Bay post-race dip, beachfront photo ops, local food and beverage concessions, live cultural entertainment, and more.
The UGM is sponsored by the Guam Visitors Bureau and the Pacific Islands Club. Check out unitedguammarathon.com and this link for more details on both events.